Public Speaking Awards

Wallace High School Lower Sixth pupil Lisa McCord last week won the Lisburn and District Public Speaking Competition. This was the third successive year which a Wallace pupils has won the coveted award, with Charlotte Mitchell winning in 2004 and Sarah Kee in 2005. Four Wallace pupils competed against girls from Malone College, Hunterhouse College and Friends’ School, with Year 12 Wallace pupil Alex Greenfield being highly commended.

Miss Emma McNeill commented, “All four Wallace competitors, Lisa, Alex, Kayleigh McSweeney and Natasha Kennedy, were a credit to themselves and our school, speaking with genuine enthusiasm and sincerity. I would like to thank the Lisburn and District Soroptimists for organising this competition which has given our pupils the opportunity to grow in confidence and demonstrate that they are articulate young women who have an important role to play in society.”

16 year old Lisa is now looking forward to representing the Lisburn District at the Northern Ireland Finals in Omagh in the Spring.She said, “My speech was on Domestic Violence and other topics included global warming and ASBOs. The other competitors were excellent and it was very interesting to hear everyone’s views on such diverse topics. I am studying English Literature, IT, Business Studies and French at AS Level, and whilst I am still undecided on a career path, I know that taking part in this competition has certainly developed my confidence in public speaking and I’d certainly encourage other young people to get involved .

I hope I can follow in the footsteps of Wallace pupils Charlotte and Sarah who, in previous years, went on to do very well at the NI Finals as they were selected to visit the European Youth Parliament in Strasbourg with girls from across Ireland. I’d like to thank Miss McNeill for all her advice and encouragement and wish other Wallace pupils well as they prepare to take part in the BPW Public Speaking Competition next week.”